Abstract: An explosive powder charge operated fastening element setting device includes a housing having a firing direction with a guidance tube located within an outlet tube in the housing. The guidance tube and outlet tube are displaceable in the firing direction within the housing. A piston for driving a fastening element is displaceable in the firing direction within the guidance tube so that it can be returned to the firing position. A spring clip mounted in the outlet tube transmits a pulling motion on the outlet tube to the guidance tube while the piston is held in the housing against similar movement. During the pulling motion, a spring clip with a pair of legs extending transversely of the firing direction co-acts with shoulders projecting outwardly from the guidance tube at its forward end for placing the piston in the firing position toward the rearward end of the guidance tube.